Page 4 of Bound to the Dragon
“I am behaving myself,” I retort. “He’s treating me like a possession.”
As soon as the words leave my lips, I realize that’s exactly what I am.
“You’re not exactly ingratiating yourself to him.”
I stare balefully at Jessup, but I hold back the response bubbling to the surface. It won’t matter what I say to Jessup or anyone else about it. My opinion won’t matter to anyone, even with all that I know. But it should.
The Beta starts to unload the car with the help of Blaze’s enforcers, and I stand idly back, taking in the surroundings that are about to become my new home.
It’s beautiful, I’ll give the Alpha that. I want so much to love it, to look at it with the awe-filled eyes of a naive, young shifter.
I could get used to the splendor of Shadow Pine territory. It has always been one of the loveliest areas of Texas, even prettier than where I’m from. But that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t want to be here. No amount of sprawling landscape will take away from the fact that this entire mating union is a sham.
But I suppose I should thank the gods for small favors. Blaze could be some kind of troll, some hideous beast, not the tall, chiseled male that he is.
We’ll make attractive heirs for his pack, assuming Blaze ever touches me.
Gauging by the look in his eyes, he has no more interest in this arrangement than I do. But eventually, he’ll have to if he ever wants his baby Alphas to take over his lineage.
A fusion of anger and excitement overtakes me at the thought of having sex with him. I’ve never been so conflicted in my life.
“Come on.” Jessup gestures for me to follow him toward the house.
I hesitate, mustering my courage, but there isn’t time. I have to follow or be left behind. My eyes trail back toward the house,and the flutter of a curtain catches my attention. The person behind it is gone before I can get a proper glimpse, but I fully suspect that it was Blaze watching us from the second-story window.
Why didn’t he just see us in if he was going to watch anyway?
What the hell am I getting myself into? Am I going to have to watch my back everywhere around here?
The enforcers silently lead us through the massive front hall, and I check out the exquisite furnishings as we move.
Either Blaze has an amazing interior decorator, or he has a better eye for design than I expected from him. His place is stunning, and that awe I was expecting earlier overtakes me now. The exterior did not do the interior justice.
The winding staircase leads us up into the east wing, and I feel like we’ve been walking for half an hour before landing in front of a pair of pristine white double doors.
“This will be your suite.” The enforcer opens the brass handles and leaves my bags inside without stepping in. “You should find everything you need here, but there is a direct line to the kitchen. They’ll be able to help you if you can think of anything else.”
“And the Alpha?” I demand. “Where’s my direct line to him?”
The enforcer stares at me blankly. “He’ll call on you as he needs you.”
My stomach drops at the cold response, but Jessup steps in before I can demand to know what the hell that means.
“Thank you,” Jessup interjects smoothly. “That’s everything.”
The Beta steers me inside the room and closes the door. Like the rest of the house, the suite is gorgeous, complete with a fully equipped sitting room, including a writing table, television, and balcony. To the left, the bedroom door sits ajar, but I don’t bother checking it out. I’m sure there’s a huge bed and bathroomin there. The air carries a rich, woodsy fragrance that makes the room feel unexpectedly cozy, though I refuse to let my guard down.
“Am I staying here after the mating ceremony, or will I be sharing a suite with the Alpha?”
Jessup has no answer for me, but why would he? He doesn’t know how things work here in Shadow Pine. Each pack runs things in its own way, each Alpha doing things as they see fit for their groups.
“It’s not going to be so bad, Maddi.” He’s trying to sound reassuring, but the words reek of pity to me.
I take out my frustration on Jessup because he’s the only one in earshot. “Why are you still here? I’m settled. Run back home and tell Granger you did your job.”
“Maddi—”
“Just go, Jessup. I’m fine. I’m doing my duty. I’ll see you back here for the ceremony, okay?”
